TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - THE ousted President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, is expected to return to the nation today (July 2), even though the military there has stated their intentions to arrest him if he returns.
Zelaya was forcibly removed from the country by the military on Sunday (June 28) after the Supreme Court ruled that a referendum Zelaya was attempting to pass through Congress was unconstitutional. Uneasiness with the constitutional changes appeared to stem from fears that Zelaya was attempting to remove limits on his presidential term.
Since being flown out of the country to Costa Rica, Zelaya has garnered largely unanimous support from the global community, including resolutions demanding he be reinstated as the “democratically elected leader” of the country from the United Nations, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Zelaya will be returning to the country accompanied by the presidents of Ecuador and Argentina, as well as OAS General Secretary Jose Miguel. Additionally, Zelaya has the support of 192 UN member states after a resolution in his favor was passed Tuesday (June 30).
“The resolution that the United Nations has just adopted unanimously with the vote of all countries that are members of this august assembly expresses the indignation of the people of Honduras and of people worldwide who continue to struggle for the only principles that can prevail in accordance with the United Nations charter,” Zelaya said.
The military of Honduras has warned the ousted leader that if he returns he would be taken under arrest, but Zelaya said the resolution clearly showed that the appointed regime of Congressional leader Roberto Micheletti is illegitimate.
“All countries, without exception, of the Americas have expressed themselves loud and clear with regard to the acts of atrocity which occurred on Sunday, June 28,” he stated.
According to the ousted leader, his return should help to quell unrest and division in the country that has sprung up since he was removed. He also denied that he would face any opposition from the people when returning.
“I'm going back to calm people down. I'm going to try to open a dialogue and put things in order. When I'm back, people are going to say, 'Commander, we're at your service', and the army will have to correct itself. There's no other possibility.”
Though Zelaya had been adamantly pursuing the constitutional reforms that led to his removal, he has since told members of the UN that he would no longer pursue the unpopular referendum upon returning.
Belize News